Multilateral Development Banks: Basic Background

As a group, the multilateral development banks (MDBs) are the largest source of development assistance to middle- and low-income developing countries. This report discusses the organization and operations of the MDBs. It shows the share of their lending by region and by economic sector. The report is based on preliminary data for 2000. (The fiscal years for the regional banks ended on December 31.) It uses data for 1999 (to mid-2000 for the World Bank) in several sections. It will be updated when newer data become available